Former Wallaby winger Lloyd McDermott died on the weekend aged 79, leaving a legacy for the indigenous community which will live forever.
He had four passions in life: his family-indigenous community, jazz, law – and rugby.
In the countless times we shared a beer over the years, rugby was always the topic of conversation, and how he could help the young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids to play rugby.
He was a genuine trailblazer, no doubt about that, which is why I nicknamed him ‘Mabo’ after another trailblazer.
He set up the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team that has changed the lives of thousands of indigenous kids over the last 40 years.
So much so that his passing and what he has achieved has been recognised by no less than the New York Times.
Not bad for the kid born at Eidsvold, a tiny town 430 kilometres north of Brisbane that boasted a population of around 250 at the time.
Yet Eidsvold has produced two outstanding Australians in McDermott and RM Miller, a swagman who became a millionaire through the manufacturing of his worldwide famous riding boots.
McDermott was blessed with brains and flying feet that won him a scholarship to ‘Churchey’ in Brisbane where he quickly established himself as the 100 and 220-yard champion sprinter, with three years on the wing in the school’s first XV, a long-time nursery for future Wallabies.
In 1962 McDermott became the second indigenous Wallaby after halfback Cec Romalli in 1932 to debut against the All Blacks at Brisbane.
Romalli is Wallaby 322, McDermott 470.
In that year the likes of the Boyce twins Stewart and Jim debuted as well, as did Phil Hawthorne, Peter Crittle, and Dick Marks.
But McDermott’s two-Test career ended the next year when he refused to tour South Africa as an ‘honorary white’ during the height of apartheid.
He switched to rugby league, but his heart was always in rugby and the powerful way he could help the underprivileged.
Having a beer with him was never dull. His passions and sharp sense of humour saw to that.
His rugby passions will live on through Gary Ella, the youngest of the three magicians, who is in charge of the ‘Lloydies’ as the Development Team has been named.
For the rest of us, Lloyd McDermott will always be remembered as a gentleman, and a gentle man, who will be sorely missed.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Vale Lloyd McDermott, great tribute thanks Lordy. He was a great Rugby man and top shelf bloke by the sounds.
Over here
Roar Rookie
David, every good author needs a good proofreader and luckily for you, I am available for hire. RM Miller is in FACT actually RM Williams, a small error, I notice that you got the "RM" bit correct. Apart from that, it is a good read. RIP Lloyd McDermott
Mike
Guest
I watched the Lloyd McDermott under 16s sevens team play against opens school boys teams on Saturday at Scott’s college. We sat there and googled Lloyd’s name to understand more about this terrific and talented bunch of kids. Although younger thanthe other teams, the spirit and creativity was on par or better. There is a legacy there and I tip my hat to a man who has put more back into the game probably more then most given his short time for the wallabies. RIP Lloyd.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
There are less pathways through public schools than private and the private schools would rather recruit 100kg 12 year olds from the Pacific Islands than Indigenous kids.
Linphoma
Guest
Beautiful tribute Lordy. It makes one wonder why more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders haven't come through, at least in the proportions that what League and AFL have done. Kurtley Beale is the current shining light, he was identified at an early age, surely there must be more out there?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Great write up David.
michael white
Guest
Dave, lovely article. I heard about Lloyd's selection in the Heaven First 15 over the weekend. I was saddened but his ''selection'' gave me cause to reflect on great times spent with him, and indeed , times with both of you. He was a great man with a withering sense of humour. I am proud to have called him my friend.
Nick
Roar Guru
Fantastic write up, David. I remember vividly when he came to my school for an inspiration talk. The impact he had not only on the indigenous kids, but the entire school was profound. He held all the characteristics that a hero should hold - unassuming, intelligent, brave, and gives without any thought of self-reward.
David Lord
Expert
"Mabo" was not just the second indigenous Wallaby in 1962 after Cec Romalli in 1932, but the first indigenous barrister in Australia in 1972, and it was that combination that caught the eye of the New York Times.